BUSINESS ADVISOR, OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY - Calgary

bdc; Calgary; Hybrid; CAD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible benefits

Health and wellness spending account

Defined Benefit Pension Plan

Paid vacation plus personal days

Hybrid work model

Job summary

BDC is at the forefront of enabling Canadian entrepreneurs through automation advisory services and a hybrid work model. The Business Advisor, Operations Automation leads engagements from assessments to investment planning, translating business goals into practical, measurable automation outcomes.

This role blends technical depth with consulting leadership, delivering standard and customized engagements while evolving advisory offerings and nurturing strong client relationships across diverse

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial, Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, or Automation Engineering.
• 10+ years of consulting experience, including at least 6 years specializing in industrial automation, robotics, and digitally enabled equipment across multiple industries.
• Ability to translate business and operational requirements into practical AI-enabled automation solutions that deliver measurable improvements.

Responsibilities

• Deliver automation assessments, roadmaps, and investment business cases.
• Lead projects from initiation to completion within scope, budget, and timelines.
• Provide thought leadership in industrial automation, robotics, and AI-enabled solutions.
• Develop advisory methodologies, tools, and client proposals; stay current on industry trends.
• Collaborate with Client Partners to identify opportunities and scope engagements.

Skills

Automation engineering

Industrial automation

Robotics

PLC

HMI

SCADA

Lean Six Sigma

Project management

Client relationship

AI-enabled solutions

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering

MBA or professional designation asset

Tools

PLC/SCADA hardware

Machine vision

MES/OT-IT integration

Job description

We are banking at another level.

Choosing BDC as your employer means working in a healthy, inclusive, and skilled workplace that puts forward the best conditions to bring together unique teams where employees are empowered to act. It also means being at the centre of ambitious economic and financial projects to see further and to do things differently, to fuel the success of Canadian entrepreneurs.

Choosing BDC as your employer also means:

Flexible and competitive benefits , including an Employee Savings and Investment Plan where BDC matches part of your voluntary contributions, a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, a $750 wellness and health care spending account, to name a few

In addition to paid vacation each year, five personal days , sick days as necessary , and our offices are closed from December 25 to January 1

A hybrid work model that truly balances work and personal life

Opportunities for learning , training and development , and much more...

Explore the BDC Way in our Culture Book

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Business Advisor, Operations Automation helps Canadian entrepreneurs improve productivity and operational performance through advisory services focused on industrial automation, robotics, and operational excellence.

This role leads the delivery of both standard and customized advisory engagements, including automation assessments, automation investment planning, productivity improvement initiatives, and strategic operations mandates. The Business Advisor helps clients evaluate, prioritize, and implement automation and robotics-related investments by translating business objectives into practical, measurable outcomes.

The position combines deep technical expertise, consulting experience, project leadership, business acumen, and strong client relationship skills. Responsibilities include project delivery, subject matter leadership, business development support, and the continuous evolution of advisory offerings.

CHALLENGES TO BE MET

• Deliver high-quality advisory engagements, including automation assessments, automation roadmaps, productivity improvement plans, equipment investment business cases, and third-party plan reviews.
• Lead projects from initiation to completion, ensuring scope, budget, timelines, quality standards, and client expectations are met.
• Provide technical expertise and thought leadership in industrial automation, robotics, autonomous systems, and emerging technologies.
• Support the development of advisory methodologies, tools, and solutions by staying current on industry trends and best practices.
• Collaborate with Client Partners and internal stakeholders to identify opportunities, scope engagements, and develop client proposals.
• Engage directly with clients to understand business challenges and recommend practical automation and operational improvement solutions.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial, Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, or Automation Engineering, or a related field. MBA, P.Eng., or other relevant professional designation is considered an asset.
• Minimum 10 years of consulting experience, including at least 6 years specializing in industrial automation, robotics, and digitally enabled equipment across multiple industries.
• Candidates should be able to translate business and operational requirements into practical AI-enabled solutions that deliver measurable improvements in productivity, quality, safety, or operational performance.
• Experience identifying, evaluating, implementing, and managing automation or AI initiatives within production, manufacturing, logistics, field service, or industrial operations is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in several of the following areas:
  • Robotics (articulated, SCARA, collaborative robots, AMRs, AGVs)
  • PLC, HMI, SCADA, and industrial control systems
  • Machine vision and sensor technologies
  • Automated material handling and warehouse automation
  • Industrial IoT and MES/OT-IT integration
  • applying AI, automation, robotics, or advanced digital technologies in industrial or operational environments.
• Solid understanding of Lean, Six Sigma, process optimization, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Proven experience developing automation strategies, investment business cases, cost analyses, ROI assessments, and implementation roadmaps.
• Strong consulting and business advisory skills, with the ability to support strategic planning, prioritization, and execution initiatives.
• Ability to design practical, results-oriented solutions tailored to small and medium-sized enterprises.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, industrial technology infrastructure, integration approaches, and vendor ecosystems.
• Experience applying AI-driven solutions within industrial or manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated project management experience delivering both standard and customized consulting engagements.
• Excellent client relationship, communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong collaboratio